--
Cedric was puzzled as to why he was asked to stay behind but he didn't show it, he didn't say a word either.
The four people who came with him excused themselves and left him and the Headmistress to talk in private. Not long after they left, Lissandra turned her attention to him and said:
"Well met, Young Sage. I am pleased to know that someone of your caliber is attending my humble institute."
Cedric was briefly surprised but he quickly recovered. Understandably, this woman knows of his real identity, she owns this place after all.
"Thank you for letting me stay, Headmistress. Excuse me for not introducing myself right away as I am being careful with my moves." Cedric replied.
"Oh please, don't be burdened. The gates of my institute will always be open to you. I of course know how sensitive your status is, and I also understand the need for secrecy. You don't need to apologize for protecting yourself since if I was in your position, I would've done the same."
"If there's someone who should apologize, it would be me. I tried my best to spare you from being drafted to the frontlines but the army needs us." Lissandra had an apologetic smile as she told him this.
"It's alright, Headmistress. I understand and I don't resent your decision. I actually think that it's a logical move. Besides, I never thought about escaping this. I'm willing to offer any help I could." Cedric replied.
"Oh, you're already doing way more than you're expected to," Lissandra stated with a proud face. "Your act of joining the House of Light and bestowing them a new light source - one that is identical to the real sunlight, and the Demon Soul Purification Altars...these will have a lasting effect on our civilization. In terms of achievements alone, you already surpassed the current Zodiac Saints."
Once again, Cedric wasn't surprised that she knew about these too. Even with his authority, there are some people who still directly outrank him and can view information about him. She must be one of those people, and if she was, that isn't surprising either.
"I asked you to stay behind because of a single thing." Lissandra suddenly stated, "And I believe that this will be of great assistance to you."
Cedric focused after hearing that. Then, he saw her waving her hand in front of her before a silvery light started converging above her palms.
The silver light flowed like mercury, drawing arcs and milky streaks in the air. It then formed intersecting likes that left a deep impression on Cedric. After a few seconds, Cedric realized what was going on.
"...an Aspect Sigil? A Sage's Totem...you're a Sage too?" He muttered in astonishment.
He then looked at Lissandra in surprise, but what really shocked him was her next words...
"Yes, this is an Aspect Sigil. No, I am not a Sage." Lissandra replied with a wry smile. "I wanted to be but sadly, my talents are lacking to be one."
"Then...why...how did you...?"
Cedric fought the urge to test things out right now since this wasn't the time nor the place to do so. But he's still immensely grateful for this gift.
"Thank you for entrusting this to me. I'll use it well." Cedric said after keeping the sigil away.
"I know you will," Lissandea replied with a small chuckle. "Anyway, now that I have returned to you your rightful inheritance, have you decided on which part of the army you want to join?"
"About that..."
**
Cedric left the Headmistress' office as soon as he was done with his business there.
He was briefly surprised when he saw that the other four people who had come with him earlier stayed behind.
"Yo!" Garrick greeted him with a cheeky smile. "Took you long enough. Did you already make your choice?"
Cedric tilted his head and instead of answering, he asked: "Were you waiting for me to ask that?"
"Yeah!" Ulfric, or #5, nodded eagerly. "I wanna work with you again, Boss."
Cedric then looked at Isabella and Melissa, they didn't say anything but it seemed that they too had the same idea.
"Don't," Cedric stressed out. "I can't bring you with me. This isn't a project or some random mission we have to do to be promoted. We're being drafted to a war. Please be serious."
"See, I told you he'd say something like that." Melissa, the 4th place in their batch, said this to Ulfric and Garrick.
"Oh well, at least we tried," Ulfric replied with a shrug. "I guess I'll just return to my post as a Cadet. That's the best option for me anyway."
Cedric thought that they'd push the idea a bit more. Fortunately, it seems that they were expecting him to deny the request from the very beginning.
Melissa then said that she'd join the Medical Team while the other two were still undecided for now. That's when Ulfric turned to him and asked:
"How about you, Boss? Have you chosen yet?"
"I have," Cedric replied as he started walking away. "I'll be joining the Expedition Team."